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The creation of
Los Olivos Cafe and the
Los Olivos Wine Merchant in Santa Ynez
Valley was inspired by the natural beauty and winemaking
traditions found here in Santa Barbara County
along California's Central Coast.
With a passion for bicycling, the owner, Samuel Marmorstein,
had cycled through the Santa Ynez Valley on numerous
occasions. “I was always amazed at the beauty,
serenity and peace that prevails here,” Sam reveals,
“I decided that to own land, plant grapes and
create wines crafted by hand made more sense to me than
life in the big city.”
Creating
Bernat Winery |
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In 1995, Sam Marmorstein purchased 10 prime acres in
Los Olivos, California, and began planting
Chardonnay and Syrah grapes. Bernat
Vineyard and Winery was born (and named
after his father).
The owl on the wine label’s logo honors the owls
that protect and watch over his namesake vineyard in
the Santa Ynez Valley.
In 1999, Bernat
Winery, the smallest licensed producer, debuted its
first estate-grown Chardonnay wine—24 cases. With
the first grape harvest sold out in two months, Sam
continued to use “old-world” methods of
hand pruning, hand harvesting, and minimal processing
of Chardonnay and Syrah grapes in making wine.
The 1999 Syrah wine was bottled in July 2001; all 173
cases featured a well-structured wine with an excellent
acid balance and firm tannins. The careful, handcrafted
production of these highly acclaimed vintages continue
to be produced in limited cases.
Starting
Los Olivos Cafe |
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The owner of the Los Olivos Wine Merchant, Sam Marmorstein,
envisioned a local restaurant that would feature wines
and California cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. He
envisioned a wide selections of wines and gourmet food
gift selections.
In late 1995, when the former Almendinger’s Deli
in downtown Los Olivos became for sale here in the Santa
Ynez Valley, Sam seized the opportunity and created
The
Los Olivos Café. The Café
has been successful since the crowded opening day December
30, 1995. Chef Nat Ely of Santa Barbara’s
Emilio's Ristorante and the Birnham Wood Country Club
is responsible for the creative
and delicious menu. Open daily for lunch
and dinner, the Los Olivos Café’s warm,
inviting atmosphere, great service and excellent cuisine
continues to win rave reviews including high
praise from Sunset Magazine (April 2002).
Adding
The Wine Merchant |
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When the retail space adjoining Los Olivos Café
became available in 2001, Sam expanded his successful
restaurant by opening the Wine
Merchant—a completion of his original vision to
have a “
one-stop source for great wine and food in
Santa Barbara County, here within California's Central
Coast.” In a perfect blend of food, wine and
love, the Los Olivos Cafe and the Los Olivos Wine Merchant
are family endeavors. Sam’s wife, Shawnda, brought
her experience as a manager at Santa Barbara’s
Café Au Lait to the family business. Their two
toddlers Hannah and Jonah are the restaurants most discerning
critics. Sam’s teenage son, Zev, assists in the
vineyards and winemaking process and may sometimes be
seen bussing tables.
Enjoying
A One-Stop Wine Center |
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Wine enthusiasts are delighted to sample and purchase
so many different wines here in one place. The Wine Merchant
now features over 500 local and international vintages
and is the exclusive distributor of Bernat
Wines. Also included is the Wine
Tasting Bar presenting a selection of local
and international wines by the glass.
We offer Wine -Tasting classes on Tuesdays.
The rustic style banquet room seats up to 42, perfect
for their intimate wine maker dinners. The Deli &
Gift Shop offers picnic baskets, gourmet
foods, cheeses, wine-related items and the Los Olivos
Café’s signature bread dipping oil, mufaletta,
and olive tappenade.
At the Los Olivos Wine Merchant, we carry the following
wines from the most acclaimed international and California
Central Coast Producers including the Red
Wine: Pinot
Noir, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot,
Syrah, Zinfandel,
Dessert
Wine, Sparkling
Wine and Italian
Wine. Our White
Wines include: Chardonnay,
Sauvignon
Blanc, Pinot grigio, Riesling, Rhone whites,
Champagnes,
Dessert
whites, and Other Whites. We specialize in Pinot Noir
and Chardonnay Wine from the Santa
Rita Hills
appellation, as well as a delicious selection of
wine from other California Wine Country appellations,
such as the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Santa Maria AVA,
Sonoma AVA, Monterey AVA and from Oregon wine appellations.
Contact
us about the new wines you'd like us to carry!
Plans
Going Forward |
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Now with their vision of Los
Olivos Café and Los
Olivos Wine Merchant completed, Sam and
Shawnda Marmorstein look forward to expanding the Los
Olivos Café Wine
Club and to marketing local vintages of
Santa Barbara County and California’s Central
Coast—as well as other high quality wines from
the California Wine Country. Visit our new wine store
site where you can buy
wine online at
http://www.buysantabarbarawine.com |
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